RiverPointe Napa Valley Resort

While "resort" doesn't do this property justice, neither does "trailer park hotel," though the private cabins where guests can stay are indeed repurposed mobile homes. But they're decked out in bright colors and feature homey accents, like pointed roofs with white trim and attached back decks. The collection makes a charming community of mini-houses, with a backdrop of open green spaces and the peaceful Napa River. The central hangout spot is the clubhouse, where nightly events give guests a chance mingle. The decor throughout can feel a little dated -- floral upholstery found on some of the chairs is a clue -- but everything is well-kept, and the wood-floored lobby welcomes guests with wine barrel accents and a quaint vineyard mural. The hotel attracts timeshare guests as well as vacationing couples, and small families looking for more homey, self-service accommodations for weeklong stays.

RiverPointe Napa Valley Resort is situated in a quiet spot along the Napa River. It's just a five-minute drive to downtown Napa, where there are plenty of excellent restaurants, cafes, and shops, and three minutes by car to  Oxbow Public Market. The property is just south of the Silverado Trail, a popular and scenic wine route dotted in vineyards. San Francisco International Airport International Airport is about a 70-minute drive. 

Guest accommodations here are repurposed trailers -- tiny but charming and cabin-like, with fully equipped kitchenettes, private bathrooms, and furnished patios -- and there are two options to choose from. The first is a "Studio" which offers a compact 200 square feet of space, and is ideal for a single traveler or couple. Two studios are fitted into one mobile home unit, so patios are shared with other guests. The second choice is the "One-Bedroom Cabin," which is a private mobile home so it's double the size. It can accommodate up to four guests, with private patios and separate living areas with sofa beds. Amenities include AC, 27-inch flat-screen TVs with cable and HBO, and free Wi-Fi. Decor isn't modern, per se, but it's traditional and contemporary, with wood floors, cream-colored walls, and light-wood furniture. Kitchenettes are equipped with microwaves, sinks, mini-fridges, toasters, coffeemakers, and dishes, though stovetops are only offered in the upgraded One-Bedroom units. Bathrooms are on the small side, but there's counter space next to sinks, and all have shower/tub combos, hairdryers, and individual toiletries. Guests sometimes complain about the limited housekeeping, which is provided once during a week-long stay and includes two trash pick-ups and towel refreshes, plus one "mini-clean." 

This hotel offers a nice range of extras for a mid-range property, most of them geared toward relaxing or socializing. There are plenty of common spaces for hanging out, including indoor lounge areas in the clubhouse -- like a cozy, naturally lit room with a bunch of armchairs and a pool table. The outdoor space, though, is the real boon, with trails that run along the river, ideal for walking, biking, or running, several grills and picnicking spots, plus a spacious deck off the clubhouse. There's also a heated outdoor pool and hot tub surrounded by a stone patio with loungers and some tables and chairs. While are few frills around the pool -- no bar or canopied day beds -- it's a pleasant enough space. There's also a larger whirlpool in a separate area, though it's fenced in and some guests don't find it appealing. A tiny fitness room has a few cardio machines (a treadmill, two ellipticals, and a stationary bike), and there's also a small sauna.There's no on-site restaurant or daily breakfast offered, but every Monday the hotel serves a free continental breakfast, which serves as something between a RiverPointe orientation and a sales pitch for free and paid weekly events, like area tours, hot air balloon rides, or group dinning activities. (There's also a dedicated concierge who can orchestrate private tours and events.) Nightly activities are offered in the clubhouse, such as movie nights and free wine tastings from nearby wineries. Family-friendly amenities include free self-service laundry, high chairs, and playpens. Guests complain about a daily resort fee and separate parking fee, but Wi-Fi is free throughout.